Japanese American Social Services, Inc.

The ultimate goal of JASSI is to improve quality of life for individuals and families in need in the New York metropolitan area.

By providing appropriate case assistance through JASSI's Hotline Program, Senior Program, and Caregiver Support Program, clients will be able to meet their needs and increase their support systems. In addition, enabling people to access up-to-date social services information on JASSI's website and seminars through the Community Outreach Program, Japanese people can obtain the vital information they need in their native language.

JASSI's bilingual staff members hold Master's level of education and trainings in social work, psychology , and rehabilitation counseling and have extensive experience working at social service agencies. With the knowledge of federal government benefits and entitlements and social service skills, they are qualified to provide comprehensive social services to people who need assistance in obtaining these benefits and entitlements. In addition, JASSI has 36 years of history of providing social services to the people in need. Therefore, JASSI is capable of serving underserved Japanese-speaking people in need.

(1) Hotline Program
JASSI's Hotline Program provides case assistance, advocacy, information and referral services, and crisis intervention to anyone. This program addresses the sensitive needs of those seeking healthcare services, victims of domestic violence, the homeless, undocumented immigrants, disaster victims, and those facing legal issues and severe financial hardships. During the 2016 fiscal year, JASSI's bilingual staff members handled 4,075 cases and assisted 1,297 people.

(2) Senior Program
JASSI's Senior Program provides case assistance, social events, workshops and seminars, newsletters and e-newsletters with information tailored to senior citizens, and free tickets to cultural events to people over 60 years of age. This program also provides hospital escort services and “friendly visits" to homebound seniors and seniors in nursing homes to prevent social isolation. Although the Senior Program offers various services, it is especially focused on providing case assistance to senior citizens who typically have greater demands and needs. The case assistance includes interpretation services, education services, step-by-step assistance with bureaucratic paperwork and benefit applications, and direct communication with governmental and/or community agencies and programs on behalf of senior clients. During the 2016 fiscal year, the Senior Program staff members handled a total of 1,961 cases and assisted 451 clients. The Senior Program offered a seminar on “Medicare Basics" and hosted several events, including cultural luncheons, and a corporate-sponsored berry picking bus tour.

(3) Caregiver Support Program
JASSI's Caregiver Support Program is subcontracted with Hamilton Madison House, Inc. funded by the New York City Department for the Aging and provides services to those who care for loved ones over 60 years of age. The services include intensive case management, supportive counseling, homecare and benefit referrals, respite care, and support groups as well as supplemental services such as money for utilities, food/rent, transportation, home modifications, and medical supplies. During the 2016 fiscal year, 29 clients are served through this program.

(4) Community Outreach Program
JASSI's Community Outreach Program provides a wide range of social services information in both English and Japanese. JASSI's website has 206 pages, and 186 of those pages focus on social services information. During the 2016 fiscal year, a total of 51,319 individuals visited JASSI's website to seek information regarding government and state-funded public benefits and entitlements as well as health, consumer, housing, and immigration-related information. information through semi-annual newsletters, e-newsletters, community newspapers, magazines, TV, social media, and seminars.